Rising keeps Jägermeister Cup hopes alive in shootout win

Phoenix scored early on, with Ihsan Sacko scoring the first goal of the match in the sixth minute. El Paso tied things up not too long after, with a goal from Gabi Torres in the 11th minute. Just before the end of the first half, the Locomotive took its first lead of the match in the 38th minute with a goal from Andy Cabrera.

Just when it looked like El Paso was closing in on a win in the last 10 minutes of regulation, Phoenix’s Darius Johnson tied it up once more in the 80th minute and forcing a penalty shootout.

Phoenix and El Paso exchanged shots, going even until El Paso missed its eighth shot. Rising sealed the win after making their eighth shot and keeping themselves from being eliminated in the tournament.

Success In Penalties

Tonight marks Phoenix’s third match that was decided in a penalty shootout. They’ve won all three in two different competitions, with two coming in the Jägermeister Cup.

“That’s all [goalkeeper coach] Cory Robertson,” Rising head coach Pa-Modou Kah said after the match. “He does a fantastic job with the players… To be able to be good in penalties helps you breed confidence.”

Continuing On

Phoenix Rising’s next match will be against Orange County SC on Wednesday, July 30.